CRETE, Neb. – The Northwestern College women's basketball team (21-5, 13-5 GPAC) used transition offense and an efficient day from beyond the arc to down the Tigers of Doane University (10-16, 4-14 GPAC) 94-60.
The Raiders jumped out to a hot start scoring 26 in the opening quarter. Northwestern made four three pointers including two from senior
Devyn Kemble.
Molly Schany paced the Raiders offensively with eight quarter points. The Raiders limited the Tigers to one offensive rebound allowing Northwestern to get out in transition and take a 26-15 lead.
The second quarter saw more of the same from the Raider offense as they shot 66.7 percent for the quarter. Northwestern stretched their lead to as many as 18 and held the Tigers to just 20 percent from beyond the arc.
Maddie Jones and
Jada Cunningham joined the three-point parade, combining for three made threes in the quarter. Northwestern took a 47-33 lead into the halftime break.
The third quarter saw the Northwestern defense put the clamps on the Tiger offense, holding Doane to 18.8 percent from the field. Kemble continued her hot shooting day going three for three in the quarter and pacing the attack with seven points. The Raiders were able to get out and run in transition which contributed to a 76.9 shooting percentage that allowed Northwestern to extend their lead to 30 (77-47) going into the final frame.
During the final quarter of play Northwestern extended the lead to as many as 41 and every Raider was able to see some action.
For the game the Raiders shot 55.9 percent, going 13 for 24 from beyond the arc. Northwestern tallied 26 assists on 33 made field goals in the contest. Cunningham (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D./Washington), Kemble (Panora, Iowa/Panorama) and Jones (Jr., Twin Lakes, Iowa/South Central Calhoun) all tied for the team lead in points with 18 a piece.
Taylor VanderVelde (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D./Washington) led the Raiders on the boards with eight caroms. Cunningham was one assist shy of a double-double with nine.
Emilee Danner (Jr., Westside, Iowa/Ar-We-Va) came off the bench and contributed on the defensive end tallying an impressive six blocks.
Zoe Heemstra (Jr., Orange City, Iowa/MOC-Floyd Valley) tied her career high with 11 points.
Up Next: The Raiders will travel to Mitchell, S.D. to take on the Tigers of Dakota Wesleyan University on Wednesday, Feb. 9, with tip off set for 6:00 pm.
